Common Core, Part 10

In 1943, Professor Abraham Maslow of Brooklyn College proposed that human behavior is guided by five basic needs (in this order): 1) physiological, 2) safety, 3) belongingness, 4) esteem, and 5) self-actualization. People, children included, are motivated to fulfill the basic needs (1-3) first before moving on to the last two needs. In other words, food and shelter (1), safety and protection (2), love and affection (3) come before learning or achieving on test or in school (4 and 5). Individuals will not move on to higher needs until the lower, basic needs are satisfied.

Maslow’s Theory has fo...